The Cabrera Lab Podcast

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University take a hard look at the dissatisfaction with the education system and why it’s failing teachers, parents, administrators, and especially students. They explore how to separate the concept of schooling from true learning, inspiring a lifelong love for discovery and self-improvement.

Beyond personal growth, they share an urgent call to action: how can we give educators and students the tools and support they desperately need to thrive? Whether you're a parent, a teacher, or someone hungry to learn, this episode will ignite your passion for creating a better future—inside and outside the classroom.

In this week’s episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University reveal the powerful skill of "hearing the underlying structure" in common phrases, giving you a deeper edge in every interaction. By tuning into these hidden layers, you’ll start to pick up on subtle cues that go beyond words—allowing you to truly understand what others are saying and where they’re coming from. Whether in business, relationships, or personal growth, this episode equips you to decode conversations and be a sharper, more effective communicator.

Unlock peak mental performance and tackle any challenge with confidence! This episode arms you with five actionable moves to make you more adaptive in every aspect of life. Learn how to spot patterns faster and understand complex systems effortlessly. Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University reveal daily practices that will transform you into an intellectual powerhouse. If you're ambitious and ready to be at the top of your game, these essential thinking tools are your new secret weapon.

In this week’s episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera dive deep into the world of thinking and explain why you should be very afraid of "buckets"—those rigid mental boxes that can limit your potential and stunt your intellectual growth. They break down the components of DSRP (Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, and Perspectives) and show how isolating them from each other has serious consequences for the way you understand, interpret, and act in the world. By learning to make your thinking dynamic—flexible, adaptable, and always evolving—you’ll gain an edge in your journey to be the sharpest mind in any room. This episode will challenge your perceptions, expand your mental toolkit, and change the way you approach problems, both big and small.

If you’re ready to upgrade your mental game, tune in!

In this week's episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera take on context. Learn why context is part of a lazy person's conversational toolkit, understand the nuances of context, and finally learn how to use context in a fair and intelligent way. Doing so will help you understand the system far better than everyone else and be the smartest person in the room. Listen now! 

In this week's episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera share all they've learned from their empirical research on view-point Perspectives. Listen now to hear about how everything from babies to atoms take perspectives, how their research increased cognitive complexity in just one minute, and how to improved your problem solving skills with just one systems thinking move: P-Circle. They teach you that move and the groundbreaking research behind it's effectiveness. Listen now to improve your thinking by over 400% (yes, really)! 

In this week's episode, learn all about Action-Reaction Relationships with Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera. They share their research findings, and the two moves you need to practice to dramatically increase how many relationships you make and how accurate they are. These moves allow you to dive deeper, make more connections, increase the speed and efficacy of your thinking, and truly understand the problems you need to solve. Listen now!

In this week's episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera share all they've learned from their empirical research on part-whole systems. Listen now to hear about how they achieved far transfer learning in young children, increased cognitive complexity, and improved people's problem solving skills with just one systems thinking move: Zoom In/Out. They teach you that move and the groundbreaking research behind it's effectiveness. Listen now to improve your thinking by over 250% (yes, really)! 

In this week's episode, learn all about Identity-Other Distinctions with Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera. They share their research findings, and the one move you need to practice to dramatically increase your Distinction-making skill. This move allows you to reduce your biases, increase both the speed and efficacy of your thinking, and stop yourself and your team from making costly mistakes BEFORE they happen. Listen now!

In this week's episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera take you on a journey through their recent offsite in the Italian Alps. Discover firsthand how they harness the power of nature to teach profound lessons in systems thinking. From conquering personal fears to pushing boundaries, they reveal the transformative impact of challenging oneself amidst the giants of the Alps. Join us as we uncover why the mountains serve as the ultimate classroom for embracing reality and fostering resilience. Listen now!